Dana 44 Pinion Oil Slinger/Shield?

[canadaboy25]

Hey guys, I have a 1968 GM 1500 with a closed knuckle Dana 44 in the front. The pinion shaft and bearing got into a fight and the pinion lost. Snapped clean off at the end of the splines. It also tore up the flat piece of tin right behind the pinion gear (see picture). I don't know if this is some type of oil shield or slinger.

The ring and pinion set I found on rockauto doesn't seem to have this tin disk. I'm sure I could cut one of these out if I had to. Does anyone know what purpose this serves and would I be fine without it? Or should I fab one up to put on the new pinion shaft?